Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Johnny Utah]

Harkins would replace Andersson in Ontario - rumor has it he might go to Sweden.

 

[funky]

That would be Danault

And he would be one of the best third line centers in the league. Will take us back to our Stanley Cup run teams. Heavy at center. Just want Dillon back as part of the return

 

[dman3474]

Another former king, who just so happened to play with Blake, was just hired as a GM and has a goalie to trade. He also has a bunch of players on expiring contracts trying to leave town.

Wonder if he can make something work around Moore for Vladar.

 

[Johnny Utah]

If Vilardi moves out, then Kaliyev has to be his heir apparent in taking the RW spot alongside Fiala and Dubois.

There are either concerns about Vilardi's back sustaining more punishment, and/or his contract. Either way, it still sucks to see a player who just had his first successful season get moved out, but Dubois is more of a certainty in producing numbers.

Now what really is going to make a difference is the incoming contract extension.

Posted this earlier…

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Arvidsson-Danault-Moore
Fiala-PLD-Kayilev
Grundstrom-Lizotte-Kupari

JAD, McEwen, Fagemo

But I think one of these other forwards will be part of the deal….

That 4th line was terrible and needs a new look so not shocked if Lizotte or Grundstrom is part of deal.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Another former king, who just so happened to play with Blake, was just hired as a GM and has a goalie to trade. He also has a bunch of players on expiring contracts trying to leave town.

Wonder if he can make something work around Moore for Vladar.

The supposed ask is a 2nd rounder, and the Kings just obtained an extra one the other day...

 

[johnjm22]

Posted this earlier…

Fiala-PLD-Kayilev

3 players who can't play defense.

 

[Kudelski37]

That would be Danault

Ummm...so the Oilers put McDavid and Drai out together as soon as Danault goes off the ice and the Kings lose a third series in a row to them. PLD is not good at faceoffs. The Kings need at least 3 centers that can win faceoffs in the playoffs. Lizotte has proven he can't do that. Adding PLD does not change this need.

 

[deaderhead28]

 

[JKG33]

Another former king, who just so happened to play with Blake, was just hired as a GM and has a goalie to trade. He also has a bunch of players on expiring contracts trying to leave town.

Wonder if he can make something work around Moore for Vladar.

Vladar-Copley while cheap, could backfire real fast

 

[Johnny Utah]

3 players who can't play defense.

Maybe you move Fagemo or Grundstrom up on that line then.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Vladar-Copley while cheap, could backfire real fast

I think what Vegas did, and having seen them just go through 5 goalies during the season, 4 of whom were unproven backup goalies previously, is going to enable teams to take that risk in trying to find some hidden gems.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I’m sure this has been said elsewhere, but if the Kings really do trade for PLD, doesn’t that indicate they have zero faith in Byfield at the center position in the immediate future?

I guess they could believe Byfield will still become a #1 center, which puts PLD at #2 long term, and then what? An elder statesman Kopitar at $5 million AAV at #3 C?

 

[JKG33]

View attachment 721167

I posted that on the last page. Harkins would be a nice get for the 3rd or 4th line. His previous tweet also speculates Korpisalo's UFA rights could be headed the other way as the Jets will need goalies.

I wonder if Lizotte goes in this deal as well, given that Winnipeg will need centers after losing both PLD and Scheifle.

 

[dman3474]

Vladar-Copley while cheap, could backfire real fast

If you think that way it doesn't matter if Hellebuyk is the goalie, one pulled groin and it could backfire real fast.

 

[Moses Doughty]

I’m sure this has been said elsewhere, but if the Kings really do trade for PLD, doesn’t that indicate they have zero faith in Byfield at the center position in the immediate future?

I guess they could believe Byfield will still become a #1 center, which puts PLD at #2 long term, and then what? An elder statesman Kopitar at $5 million AAV at #3 C?

Possibly doubting how long Kopi wants to play, or possibly moving him to wing when older to make things easier on him?

 

[JKG33]

I think what Vegas did, and having seen them just go through 5 goalies during the season, 4 of whom were unproven backup goalies previously, is going to enable teams to take that risk in trying to find some hidden gems.

I think you're right. The thing is, Hill passed the eye test for me in Arizona. He looked like he had the potential to be a good tandem goalie. He's big and fast, working with Burke helped clean up his game.

Watching Vladar in Calgary, I don't see that same potential. I think the Flames jumped the gun a bit by giving him that extension when they have Wolf ready to go. He could be a good backup, but I don't have confidence at all in a tandem of him and Copley

If you think that way it doesn't matter if Hellebuyk is the goalie, one pulled groin and it could backfire real fast.

I don't mean they'll get hurt, I mean they'll look like Petersen and Quick in Seattle

 

[Johnny Utah]

I’m sure this has been said elsewhere, but if the Kings really do trade for PLD, doesn’t that indicate they have zero faith in Byfield at the center position in the immediate future?

I guess they could believe Byfield will still become a #1 center, which puts PLD at #2 long term, and then what? An elder statesman Kopitar at $5 million AAV at #3 C?

Kopitar is about to turn 36. Maybe the Kings know something we don’t about how much longer he wants to play. He has one year left at 10 million.

Danault is 30 and 4 years left on his deal.

Obviously neither Byfield or Turcotte are ready to replace Kopitar - not even close.

What if Kopitar calls it a career after this year then Kings can roll out PLD, Danault and Byfield - hopefully Helenius at 4c.

 

[Sol]

I know PLD is undervalued here but I understand Vilardis value is high right now but he has all the tools To take the next step

 

[King'sPawn]

Watch the wing depth get exposed during next season, playoffs. Management will then overpay to fix that too!

 

[Bandit]

Everyone keeps saying center but isn’t this asshole a left wing?

 

[BigBrown]

Not sure how reliable these Jets writers are so take it for what it is worth. Maybe it's Turcotte?

 

[bland]

3 players who can't play defense.

And a below average first line that got caved in by Edmonton, a group of wingers that couldn't win a board battle to save their lives, a lousy penalty kill, zero perseverance, you know, the reasons why the team was just bounced out of the playoffs.

None of which are being addressed yet, and will actually be further weakened by the names on this deal.

If this trade is made, the Kings may be the easiest out in the league. Like EASY easy.

 

[BringTheReign]

Watch the wing depth get exposed during next season, playoffs. Management will then overpay to fix that too!

At least moving Walker, Durzi, and now potentially Iafallo out means that this time they'll have to let long-marinating players like Kaliyev, Fagemo, Kupari, Turcotte, etc fight for spots. It'll be impossible to have the cap space not to use them.

Not sure how reliable these Jets writers are but take it for what it is worth. Maybe it's Turcotte?

Turcotte would make sense for the Jets as a gamble given that they're likely losing Scheifele and PLD. If he's going too we better be getting another useful player and not giving up any high picks though.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm very apprehensive about this potential trade, but also feel PLD is really being undervalued around here

I don't think this is the case...I think again people are conflating raw 'trade value' with risks and wants vs. needs

"I wouldn't give up Vilardi" doesn't mean the value isn't there if PLD pans out; it's a hedge against PLD's history and team needs.

Kind of the same thing Sol was railing me for earlier...'you wouldn't give up prospects for Eichel'. It's not because he's not worth it, it's becasue the Kings should not have been accelerating quite like that and it was a huge risk.

 

[Statto]

If they make this deal, which I don’t like, there needs to be more coming our way plus salary going out. It otherwise makes limited sense. It’s easier to understand if the cap wasn’t a factor but it is. It worries me that to make it work we’d be giving up some additional high picks.